Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste-Chapter 714 - 667: The Steel Tycoon’s Epiphany

"My Lord Count, it's been too long!" Andrew bowed seriously to Perfikot, his attitude cautious and respectful.

"Mr. Andrew, indeed it's been a while. How's your business recently?" Perfikot greeted the steel merchant, who had close ties with him, with a friendly demeanor.

Andrew seemed a bit flattered, responding with a slightly humble tone, "Thanks to you, my steel company is currently running smoothly. Various orders from the Northern Territory have flooded the factory's capacity, so much so that I had to expand the factory again earlier this year.

Apart from that, I've invested in two new mines this year. Although the reserves identified so far are not large, the output has increased my company's self-sufficiency rate for iron ore to 40%, further reducing dependency on the New Continent."

"That sounds quite good. I've always been satisfied with the performance of the various steel products you supply to the Northern Territory in recent years. I hope you will continue as always." Perfikot nodded slightly, expressing approval to the steel merchant and seriously asked him, "What are your thoughts on this bidding?"

Andrew already knew that Perfikot had divided the airship armor project into several subcontract bids to find contractors through bidding.

For him, this wasn't exactly good news.

Although if he alone were to take on all the steel orders for the project, it would certainly overwhelm him, Andrew, being a businessman, instinctively didn't want anyone else to share the cake with him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have created a steel company that spans the entire industry chain from mining to mechanical manufacturing.

Even the 40% self-sufficiency rate for iron ore he just mentioned is only for the Northern Territory branch. In fact, while the remaining 60% needs to be imported from the New Continent, the mines producing these iron ores are still his assets.

When moving his steel company from the New Continent to the Northern Territory, Andrew did liquidate most of his assets, but he firmly kept control of such an important industry as iron mining.

He just played a little trick, transferring all the mines under his name to his wife's brother to cover up.

Others might see this as being overly worried, but for Andrew, it's just a necessary insurance for himself. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After all, in case his investment in the Northern Territory fails, he at least has the capital to rise again.

But now, Andrew feels he might have been a bit conservative and cautious, because Perfikot's status and position are already unshakable, and the Northern Territory is visibly prospering.

It can be said that meeting Perfikot on the ship and deciding to invest in her was the most successful business decision Andrew ever made.

The money the company earned from the Northern Territory is secondary. The relationship he established with Perfikot, the Lord of the Northern Territory, is his greatest asset and wealth.

After all, she is the Lord of the Northern Territory, the greatest alchemist in the world.

Even just a little bit of her leftovers would be enough to feed him well.

Not to mention, just the Steam Knight parts Andrew produced for Perfikot over the years have become his biggest talisman and security for his assets.

No one would risk offending Perfikot, the Count of the Northern Territory, by seizing this business.

If things go wrong, one could truly be crushed by the Northern Territory and the military's Steam Knights.

So this time, upon hearing that Perfikot has another big project, Andrew naturally made all the preparations: "I plan to bid for the production of the airship's protective armor, and the supply of steel for shipbuilding.

Both projects are deeply related to my business, and I have sufficient experience in these areas.

As to why not seek more, it's purely about acting within my capabilities. Although I have ambitions to become Victor's top steel merchant, my company is still not able to support such a big leap."

Although Perfikot just announced the specific subcontracting information and bidding model, the giant board at the venue already listed the details of each subcontracting contract and its contents.

After checking his assets, Andrew found that despite his great ambition to take all the orders and projects, he couldn't even manage a third.

"Sounds rather modest. I appreciate your self-awareness." Perfikot nodded with satisfaction.

Taking a glass of champagne from the waiter beside her, Perfikot sipped while saying to Andrew, "For most people, they always believe that as a businessman, at critical moments, one mustn't be conservative; taking risks is the only way to earn more money.

This notion is not wrong. After all, for businessmen, wanting to make money means taking risks; profit and risk inherently grow proportionally.

But ambition needs to match capability, and sometimes admitting one's inadequacy, avoiding blind advancement, and choosing a steady approach can be a better way to maintain stable earnings."

"You're right. Investment at the start should indeed choose high-risk, high-reward industries, so as to quickly accumulate initial capital." Andrew greatly agreed with Perfikot's words and also shared his extended thoughts: "But once a certain capital is accumulated, gambler-style behavior becomes undesirable.

At this point, the goal should be a stable, long-term source of income, only by securing a stable income source can one achieve more sustainable development.

My company is the same. Although each year, under your patronage, we earn substantial returns from the Northern Territory, what if one day you grow tired? Or one day my company becomes your enemy, what should I do?

Perhaps this is what comes to mind when faced with an apocalyptic disaster?"

After listening to Andrew, Perfikot looked at him appreciatively and nodded, saying, "You truly are an excellent entrepreneur and merchant, but as a qualified merchant, you should sell me a sufficiently expensive rope that hangs you."

"Hahaha, my foolish colleagues might actually do that, but would you really want to see your business partners being such fools?" Andrew countered.